Frequently Asked Questions

1. What must be done to finalize enrollment in the EOF Program and its Prefreshman Summer Studies Academy?

By May 1, a Ramapo Acceptance card must be returned to the Office of Admissions, the placement test must be taken, health records must be submitted to the Health Services, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Application must be completed and its information on record at the college.

Each student who completes the placement test is given an EOF packet at testing. Information is provided on additional steps that must be taken to finalize enrollment. Failure to provide the information requested results in a cancellation of admission. All information must be submitted to the Associate Director of the EOF Program by June 1st. A roommate questionnaire, medical treatment form, program participation agreement, and other materials are a part of the packet.

2. How are students placed in their courses and what type of courses are taken during the Prefreshman Summer Studies Academy?

To determine course placement a computerized placement test, Accuplacer, is taken between late March and early May. This test is used for all students admitted to the college. The test is administered by the college’s Office of Testing and Placement. Students intending to enroll in the EOF Program are scheduled for the test by the EOF Program. The test identifies the degree of strength in reading, writing, and math skills.

A large number of students are enrolled in at least one college-level course, and some are enrolled in all college-level courses. These courses are in writing, math, social science and communications. The courses are offered by the Schools of American and International Studies, Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Social Science and Human Services, and Contemporary Arts. All the courses are degree-credited and count towards the college grade point average. Students can earn up to eleven degree credits.

3. What is the academic schedule like and what challenges will it bring?

Classes are held from Monday through Thursday. They start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 5:45 p.m. Study/recitation sessions and course tutorials are held in between classes and on selected evenings. The academic program is rigorous; course content that is usually spread over a fifteen-sixteen week fall or spring term is covered in six-weeks.

4. What is the EOF Seminar?

It is important for students to have a way to learn about how the college and the EOF Program work. Acquiring an understanding of the college and program mission, organizational structure, curricular/program design, and policies and procedures are important to navigating the road ahead. As students are called to meet the challenges ahead they need to know what avenues can be accessed in addressing not only academic, career, personal, and financial issues but also issues of productive citizenship within the college community. The EOF Seminar facilitated by our EOF counselors is meant to start this investigative process.

5. What is living on campus like during the summer and what monitoring is done to ensure students are adjusting to the bridge program?

To assist students with managing residential living are residential assistants, hall directors, EOF counselors, faculty, and quite often other students with whom the experiences are being shared. Faculty are providing weekly attendance reports for their courses; tutorial and advisement records are shared; weekly residence life reports are reviewed; and academic progress reports are submitted by faculty every two weeks. EOF counselors meet with their students once every two weeks, and if there appears to be a situation calling for immediate attention, phone calls are made and meetings are held.

6. Are students able to go home during the six weeks?

The first weekend, or orientation weekend, is the only weekend all students must be on campus. Each week, classes end on Thursday afternoon, and students may elect to go home after their last class. Students must return to campus by 8:00 p.m. Sunday. Those who spend any part of the weekend on campus must sign in and out. Curfew hours and visitation policies are in effect for all weekends. Some students may have reason to leave campus for an overnight at home during the week with return the next day. An overnight authorization form must be competed.

7. Is working during the six-weeks allowed?

Only weekend jobs can be held during the Prefreshman Summer Studies Academy. The academic work can not be successfully managed while working a part-time job during the week. Weekend jobs are considered to be Thursday night through Sunday afternoon work hours. The first weekend is orientation weekend and students should inform their employers of their inability to work that weekend.

8. Can a student have a car on campus during the six weeks?

Yes, but only if the student has been authorized by the EOF Program. An authorization form is a part of the orientation packet students receive after participating in placement testing held from late March through early May.

9. What kinds of assistance do EOF advisors provide students during orientation weekend and during the course of the six-weeks?

Each student is required to meet on a one to one basis with his/her assigned EOF counselor during the six weeks. Meeting schedules are set; time is taken to review background information provided by students to the program prior to their arrival on campus, and at all times the students adjustment to the challenges presented by the bridge program are explored. Whether the challenges are academic, personal, social, career, or financial, the EOF counselor role is one of providing guidance, and where appropriate advocacy.

Students are assisted with registering for their fall courses; and faculty provided student progress reports are reviewed, and strategies for addressing any concerns with course performance are identified. Each student has a support service requirement agreement that is explained by the EOF counselor and signed by the student.

10. What types of extracurricular activities are available to students?

Twenty-five to thirty events are planned for the Prefreshman Summer Studies Academy. Under the umbrella of our Leadership, our leadership team comprised of students, sponsors community service and issue advocacy projects, barbeques, educational workshops, and trips to museums, amusement parks, beaches, ball games, and performing arts events. Events are held on weeknights and on weekends. The majority of events are cost-free.